Crystal Palace secured their initial Premier League (PL) away triumph of the campaign, overcoming Ipswich Town at Portman Road in their opening league encounter since 2013.
Both teams entered this match tied on points and with matching statistics (W1, D6, L6), coincidentally each defeating Tottenham Hotspur in their solitary wins of the PL season thus far. With only GD dividing them, a balanced opening half predictably unfolded, as Ipswich thwarted Palace’s efforts for most of the period.
Remarkably, it wasn’t until the dying moments before halftime that the Eagles began to pose their hosts significant challenges, as Eberechi Eze’s struggles to evade Wes Burns culminated in a deflected shot into the welcoming hands of Arijanet Muric. On the flip side, the Tractor Boys generated minimal threat, but a Harrison Clarke header from Leif Davis’ corner delivery nearly shattered the stalemate on the verge of halftime.
An 11th scoreless first half from 14 PL matches is the most in the league for a Palace squad that has leaned on late strikes in recent games. Ipswich opened the second period energetically as Liam Delap nodded Burns’ cross toward Dean Henderson, but the clash soon reverted to a subdued affair lacking major highlights.
Nevertheless, after an hour had elapsed, the visitors finally struck the opener when Jean-Philippe Mateta received the ball from Eze and forced his way past Jacob Greaves before deftly chipping an attempt over Muric. That goal seemed to energize Palace, who appeared more likely to score the match’s second against an Ipswich side that has yet to secure a clean sheet at Portman Road this season.
Despite a late Greaves header grazing the far upright, the home side ultimately fell short as they failed to add to their meager tally of five league goals at home, succumbing to a seventh PL loss. The outcome positions Ipswich 19th, two points behind safety with an additional match played and still searching for a PL home victory this season. Meanwhile, Oliver Glasner’s men rise to 16th in the PL table, creating a three-point cushion above the relegation zone.
